For those unaware, on March 3rd, 2023, the Metropole Orkest will release a new album on Modern Recordings with compositions by honorary conductor, and seven-time Grammy winner Vince Mendoza entitled Olympians.

Inclusive of works he wrote for the orchestra during his 28 years with the Metropole Orkest, Olympians will be released in early March, but is also now available for pre-order in their webshop. Better yet, everyone who pre-orders will receive a copy signed by Vince Mendoza.

Olympians was recorded when the orchestra was unable to give concerts. Drummer and co-producer Martijn Vink: We are used to play a different project every week. Now we suddenly had the time to really take the time to explore Vince’s best compositions and record their ultimate versions.

The album features guest appearances from vocalists Dianne Reeves and Cecile McLorin Salvant, saxophonists Chris Potter and David Binney, percussionist Alex Acua, and the late guitarist Ramon Stagnaro (charango). But the soloists in the orchestra - Arlia de Ruiter, Marc Scholten, Rik Mol, Hans Vroomans, Leo Janssen, Paul van der Feen and Peter Tiehuis - also shine on Olympians.

1. Quixote
2. Esperanto (feat. Dianne Reeves)
3. Partido Alto
4. House of Reflections
5. Miracle Child
6. Big Night
7. Lake Fire
8. Barcelona
9. Bright Lights and Jubilations

This magnificently structured, wholly embracing new recording opens on the atmospherically-charged Quixote and the stirringly cinematic Esperanto (featuring Dianne Reeves), and then brings us the euphonious Partido Alto, the honeyed House of Reflections and the lushly orchestrated Miracle Child.

Along next is the joyous, uplifting and wholly exhilarate Big Night which is in turn backed by the more symphonic-structured, and gently fervent Lake Fire, the silky smooth recording rounding out on the pictorial, filmic vibe of Barcelona, coming to a sumptuous close on the extravagantly exuberant Bright Lights and Jubilations.

Master arranger Vince Mendoza first conducted the Metropole Orkest in 1995. The starting point for a sustainable collaboration. In 2005 he succeeded Dick Bakker as chief conductor and brought fantastic soloists and projects to Hilversum. The term Olympians, Mendoza explains, referring to the album’s title, is something that I use quite often while on the podium with the Metropole as I feel that this orchestra continues to play difficult music with grace, enthusiasm, and accuracy, especially given the wide scope of the projects they have done over the years.

They’ve really developed the ability to be comfortable with so many different styles of music which is quite unusual for an orchestra. This recording shows them at the height of their Olympian powers.

Official Purchase Link